Saratoga Academy leasing Maritime Center for new middle school

continued  The Maritime Center had searched for a new tenant for about a year after Capital Region BOCES left the center when its lease expired. The center was bound by the stipulation that any organization leasing the building must teaching low- to moderate-income students, which was a requirement from the terms of a loan it received from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The center still owes around $350,000 of the loan.

The Town of Glenville facilitates the loan payment for the center, but Supervisor Christopher Koetzle previously said the town is not liable for it. Koetzle said the school is “a fine addition” to the town.

“The school is a great use of this magnificent building and location, and is compatible with the surrounding area and the mission of the Maritime Center,” Koetzle said in a statement.

Chester Watson, president of the Board of Directors for the Maritime Center, said he was “elated” to see an agreement be reached.

“I am very, very happy that we have reached an agreement with the school to lease the facility,” Watson said.

Christensen enthusiasm for the center was apparent, too.

“The more I talk about it, the more excited I get about it,” Christensen said.